ANGRY parents have said a council's decision to close a village skate park as part of restrictions brought about by the second coronavirus lockdown will damage their children's mental health.

Tiptree Parish Council announced it would shut the popular facility, in Grove Park, to ensure it follows national rules.

But parents say the law governing restrictions around parks lacks clarity.

Janette Sheldon, from Tiptree, said her 14-year-old son regularly enjoyed the skate park.

She said the national Government guidance remained unclear on whether skate parks should be closed, with playparks permitted to remain open.

"As a parent of a 14-year-old, closing a facility like this which is so good for their mental health is not a good move," she said.

"I know from speaking to other parents that it really helps many children.

"It is safer than a playground, in that they bring their own equipment and don't touch any shared surfaces.

"There has been a suggestion there has been an influx of teenagers from other areas, but from what I have found out other skate parks are remaining open and there is no real increase in the number of visitors."

Janette said she had been unable to raise the issue at a recent meeting of Tiptree Parish Council, as the matter was not included on the agenda.

Responding to a post announcing the closure, Tiptree residents hit out at the decision.

One said: "What puzzles me is at the skate park the kids just have their bikes or scooters.

"They are the only ones to handle them.

"But the park, where everyone touches the swings, the slide and the climbing frame is staying open."

Rob Williams, clerk of Tiptree Parish Council, said both Skateboard England and Sport England had emphasised skate parks should close.

"The head groundsman said to me that people were coming to our skate park as we were the only one which was open in the vicinity," he said.

"I have to keep the council safe, as if we are keeping the skate park open and it is against the law, we are opening ourselves up to prosecution.

"It may be unclear or not specifically written into the law, but both the governing body for skateboarding in England and Sport England have explicitly said skate parks should close."

Mr Williams said the issue of the closure of the skate park would be included as a matter for discussion at the next parish council meeting. "It is always important people are able to make their views heard," he said.

"The agenda is put out three days before the meeting, so in this case it was too late to include the matter."